Shia police officer shot killed in Karachi

SHAFAQNA -Â District Superintendent Police (DSP) Majeed Abbasi was martyred Tuesday when assailants allegedly belonging to the Swati faction of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) opened fire at his vehicle in Karachiâ€™s Shah Latif Town.According Police officials, the attackers belonged to the Swati group of TTP and were previously involved in targeting other senior police officials including Hyderabad jail official Ejaz Hyder who was gunned down last month.

Initial reports had revealed that DSP Majeed Abbasi was shot several times by assailants on motorbikes and succumbed to injuries as he was shifted to Jinnah Hospital.

Sources further added that DSP Abbasi was on his way to the police station when armed men opened fire at the police vehicle, injuring him and his driver.

While two of the assailants stopped the car, two others fired at the front and back of the vehicle.

As Police cordoned off the area, Rangers arrived at the crime scene and commenced investigations.

Sources also added that DSP Abbasiâ€“the third DSP who has been killed in the East Zone in the past 1.5 monthsâ€“was heavily involved in search operations in the area.

Just last month DSP Zulfiqar Zaidi was gunned down along with his friend in Shah Faisal Colony neighbourhood of Karachi.Police lodged an FIR over the murder of DSP Abbas at Shah Latif Police Station early on Wednesday.

The FIR was registered on the complaint of Abbasâ€™s brother Syed Matin Sherazi against unidentified persons. Along with other sections, the FIR also included section 7 of the Anti-Terror Act (ATA).

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the murder of DSP Majeedi Abbasi in Karachi.Seeking a report into the incident, he expressed concern over the number of police officials targeted in Karachi in the last few weeks, and directed the authorities to take tangible steps to improve the law and order situation in the metropolitan city, and apprehend criminals at the earliest.